Free-wheel coaster-brake with friction-clutch



p HERMANN SCHMIDT. or sUHL, GERMANY.

FREE-WHEEL COASTRBRAKE WITH FRICTION-CLUTCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nav. 1e, 1920.

Application led August 13, 1919, Serial No. ,317,382. Renewed October 16, 1920. Serial No. 417,530.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it knowny that I, HERMANN SCHMIDT, a citizen of the Federal Republic of Germany and of the State of Prussia, residing at No. 6 Ellerstrasse, ofSuhl, in Thuringia, Germany, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Free-Wheel Coaster- Brakes with Friction-Clutches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to free-wheel coaster-hubsl for cycles in which the brake mounted therein is applied by the rotating hub of the rear-wheel itself, when a clutch is operated which enables the transmission of power'from the hub to the brake actuating mechanism. In my Patent 1,280,558 I have described several cycle hubs constructed according to the said principle in combination with controlling mechanisms operated by hand.

The object of the invention is to so construct and arrange the driving gear and to so combine it with the brake and with brake l l applying means, such vas stated hereinbed, far as the power applied to the pedals is not fore, that the brake can be operated `by the vis viva of the cycle in movement, after the aforesaid clutch has been let in by an initial back-pedaling motion of the driver of the cycle. This operation is different from the usual back-pedaling in coaster-hubs in so availed to the direct applicationy of the brake, but will only act upon the friction clutch, so that a small power will be sucient for a high braking action, while any desired gradation in braking is rendered possible.

To attain this object, a freewheel driving appliance of any suitable construction is combined with a self-operatin mechanism which on backward rotation of the driving gear produces the connection of'said driving gear with controlling means adapted to let in the aforesaid friction clutch.

In Athe drawing, which forms a part of this specification, several embodimentsv of the invention are illustrated as examples. In said drawing- Figure 1 is partly a side view and partly a longitudinal sectional elevation of a coaster-brake and the operating means therefor, constructed in accordance with the principle herebefore disclosed;

Fi 2 is a cross-section taken on the line A in Fig. l;v

Fig. 3 is a crosssection of the brake members separately on the line C-D in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is partly a side-elevation and partly a longitudinal sectional view of a more com-l lpalrt modification of the free-wheel coaster- Fig: 5 1s a cross-section of the latter construction on the line E-F in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a further modification of the free-wheel coaster-hub, shown in a longi- .tudinal sectional elevation;

drawing.

Referring first to the construction represented 1n Figs. 1 to 3, 1 indicates the hubshell of the rear wheel of a cycle. 13 is the K ball bearing, arranged in the left end of the hub, and 2 isthe corresponding bearing cone therefor, connected to the cycle frame 14 non rotatably by means of a corrugated washer 12 engaged with the fork part of the cycle (Fig. l), or with the use of an arm 12b (Fig. 6) in a well-known manner. At the right hand within the hub 1 there is a second ball bearing 46 arranged running lon a bearing cone 43 screwed upon the wheelaxle 20.

The expansible brake sleeve is composed of any convenient number of blocks 4, for example, four, which are assembled by split rings 4. and supported upon an axial pro jection of the inner end of the bearing cone 2, depressions or seats being formed therein forthe blocks between longitudinal ribs 2 which also prevent the brake sleeve from revolving but allow of its displacement. Both ends of the brake sleeve are conically holvlowed out or internally tapered, the left end being located upon corresponding slopes 2 of the cone 2 and the right end upon a movable expanding cone 5. The said cone encircles a sleeve 6 provided with female screw threads and engaging therewith in corresponding right hand screw threads 24 formed upon the axle 20. To diminish friction an end-thrust ball-bearing 22 is disposed between the cone 5 and the sleeve 6. This .arrangement of the brake-applying appliance will cause the brake sleeve to be expanded by the cones 2 and 5, and pressed on the inner face of the hub l, when the sleeve 6 is rotated in the direction of the forward rotation of the hub 1. A coiled 6 an a nut 3 fixed on the axle 20, respectively, will return the sleeve 6 to its initial position when released.

A driving member, for instance,a sprocket wheel 26 is supported upon the hub 1 free to rotate by means of ball-bearings 17 the cones 16 of which are attached to a ring 15 fixed uponv screw threadsof the hub 1.

Upon the periphery of the bearing cone 43 4are formed left hand screw threads 47 engaged with corresponding female screw threads of a cap 44. A disk 41 located in the body or rim of the sprocket Awheel 26 incloses the cap 44, keys or feathers 42 engagingl key ways ma ein the per1phery of the cap 44, thereby preventing relative rotation of the connected .parts but allowing the axial'displacement of the cap 44, when it is screwing to and fro upon the cone 43. As can best be seen in Fig. 2, sloping pockets 48 in any desired number are provided in the periphery of the disk 41 with friction rollers 40 contained and movable therein, springs 50 holding the `roller-s in contact with the body of the sprocket 26. The pockets are of the common form and so disposed that the roller clutch permits of the free forward rotation of the sprocket wheel independently of the diskv41, but will cou-` ple the said parts in the backward rotation of the sprocket wheel (see arrow in Fig. 2), whereupon the cap 44 is screwed upon the cone 43 to the left.

In the circumference ,of the ring 15 similar pockets are made with friction rollers 18 contained therein, those pockets being descending or sloping inversely to the pockets 48, the rollers 18 bearing on the inner periphery of the sprocket wheel 26; this friction roller-clutch formed between the ring 15 and the sprocket wheel will thereforev connect the said parts, when the sprocket wheel is rotating in the lforward direction, that is to say, oppositely to arrow inFig. 2.

A central bore 27 is formed in the axle 20, as well as cross slots 28 and 29 intersecting the bore. A slide 45 situated in the outer slot 28 bears on the inner side of the plane part of the cap 44 with its one side, and on the end of a pin 11 with its other side, which pin is displaceable in the bore 27, and will therefore transmit the axial movement of the cap to said pin and to other slide plates 9 which are movable in the slot 29 and controlled by the pin y11. A spring 10 also located in the bore 27 tends to move the entire controlling mechanism back to the right. Lugs projecting from the plates 9 embrace a ring-like member 7 which is displaceable and rotatable on the axle 20, but connected to the hub 1 by keys 8 and key-ways in a Y5, the sprocket 26a is rigidly fixe with respect to other parts. Conical faces 25 formed on the member 7 and on the sleeve 6 are the engaging parts of a bevel coupling adapted to connect the member 7 to the `sleeve 6, when the former is pushed to the left. This willhave the effect that the hub will carry with it the sleeve 6 in .its forward rotation, the brake being thereby applied. y f

he construction operatesas follows:

`When the driving member 26 is stopped in propelling the cycle, the free-wheel coupling 18 automatically unc'ouples the hub 1 which will then be free to rotate. Backpedaling has the effect to couple the driving wheel 26 with the disk 41,3whereafter the disk and cap 44 are turned backward, while the latter is also screwed to the left upon the cone 43. This movement pushes the slide 45, theI pin 11,'the slides 9 and the member 7 to the left, bringingthe conical faces of the friction clutch 25 toV gripping contact. As the ring member 7 is turning in unison with the hub 1, the sleeve 6 is screwed toward the cone 2, thereb applying the brake as above stated. T 'e braking effect may be regulated at Awill by the driver of the cycle by varying the force with which he is acting upon the clutchl 25, whereby the degree of slipping of said clutch is regulated. After ,the brake has been fully applied, the sleeve 6 will beimmobilized, whereupon the bevel faces 25 will slip the one on the other. When back-pedaling ceases, the spring 10 moves the member 7 and its controlling appliance 9, 11, 45 to the right, also screwing the cap 44 to its neutral position. On the other hand the spring 3 will screw the sleeve l6 back to the right, so that the brake is taken o' the hub 1.

In the construction shown -in Fi .4 and driving member 51 havin an inwardly directed projection Vand right hand screw threads 51 provided thereon. `A sleeve 52 engaging the said threads with correspondmg female screw threads is ,encircled by a coupling ring 53 which is positively coupled to the hub 1a by means'of keys in a similar manner as illustrated in Fig. 7. When by turning the driving member 51 in the forward direction the sleeve 52 is screwed to the right, the ring 53 will be locked' or upon aesv 54 displaceably arranged on the axle 20a, but

similar manner, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 ring 53 or to the disk 54, respectively.

' The brake composed of two concentric split sleeves 4 is attached to the fixed bearing cone 2n by means of a lug 58 received in a slot ofthe brake. The device vfor applying the brake comprises several sets of expanding rollers 59 retained in ay spacer ring 60, and a sleeve 6l rotatable upon the axle and provided with circumferential sloping depressions 62 which ascend in the sense of backward 'rotation of the hub l, as indicated by arrow in Fig. 5. yClose to the disk '54 the sleeve 61 is provided with a flange 61 and a multiple disk clutch 63 ofknown construction, the disks of which are alternately in engagement with longitudinal grooves of the hub and the sleeve 6l, respectively. By back-pedaling, the sleeve 52 will be screwed toward the disk 5a, thus pressing the disks of the laminate clutch 63 to each other, whereby the power applied can be regulated. After the brake has been fully applied, the disk clutch will l slip and act as an auxiliary brake. When released, the brake cylinder 4a will contract itself by reason of its inherent elasticity an d at the same time remove the rollers 59 and the sleeve 61 to their original inoperative positions.

In the construction illustrated in F 6, 7 and 8, the driving mechanism, composed ofthe parts 26h, 51h, 52h, 53b and 51', is similar to the corresponding device, shown in Fig. 4:; detailedA description may therefore be dispensed with.

The multiple disk brake 4* here employed is mounted upon the bearing cone 2", the disks being alternately connected with the said cone and the hub lb in a known manner. f The brake applying mechanism arranged between the brake and the driving appliances comprises two disk shaped members 64and 65 engaging each other with bevel teeth 66 (Fig. 8). The member 64 is.. connected to the hub 1b through lugs 8 (Fig. 8) and is axially displaceable therein, while the member 65 is rotatable. upon the axle 20b and held against displacement by an end-thrust ball-bearing 22. The member 65 further bears a flange having an inner conical face 25b opposite to a corresponding cone-member 67 which is movable on a square part 68 of the axle but prevented from rotation. The ends of spring 3* are attached to the members 64 and 65, respectively, the spring serving the purpose to reconduct the members 64 and 65 to their original neutral position, when a relative turning has taken place.

Driving and free-wheeling with this constructional embodiment may easily be un;

derstood, as they are similar to the operation-of known coaster-brakes. With backpedaling the screw-threaded sleeve 521 will screw off the bearing 51b and thereby shift the cone 67 so far to the left that the bevel clutch 25" will be brought into action. The helical faces 'of the teeth 66 of the two members 64 and 65 will then commence to slide the ones upon the others, which movement forces the member 64 to the left, the disks of the brake'elb being pressed upon each other.

The braking action being' dependent on thedegree of gripping of the friction coupling, itwill be clear that owing to the easy variation of the power applied in backpedaling, any desired adjustment of the brake can be performed at the time being, and that it is only required to employ the power for holding the faces of the friction coupling in contact, while the applicationy Several constructions founded. on the principle disclosed in the preamble of the foregoing specification have been illustrated in the drawing and detailed in connection therewith hereinbefore in order to show that the invention is not limited to the use of certain elements lbut may be performed in numerous variations.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure byy Letters Patent, is

1. In a free-wheel coaster-brake for bicycles, the combination with a wheel hub of an expansible braking velement in said hub, expanding members associated with the expansible element, a sprocket mounted to rotate with or ride freely on the hub, screw adjusted means for effecting operation of said expanding members, and a disk on said screw adjusted means actuated by and on the .backward rotation of the sprocket to operate the screw adjusted means for effecting the braking action of the braking ele-l ment, substantially as set forth.

2. In a free-wheel coaster-brake for bicycles, the combination with an axle, a wheel hub and cone bearings on which the hub is v Ajournaled, of an expansible braking element 4 effecting the braking action on the hub, sub-- stantially as set forth. f

3. In a free-wheel coaster-brake for bicycles, the combination with a wheel hub and cone bearings on which said hub is journaled, of an expansible braking sleeve in the hub, expanding members associated with the expansible braking sleeve, `a

' journa ed on the hub, means whereb sprocket j ournaled on. the hub, means Whereby. the sprocket may drive the hub for- Wardly, a device slidable in the hub adapted to actuate one of the expanding members, a screw adjusted member operable -to actuate said slidable device, anda disk actuated by and on the backward rotation ofthe s rocket to operate said :screw adjusted mem er for shifting the slidablejdevice to effect the braking action `oni thehub, substantially as set forth. y

A. In a free-wheel coaster-brake for bicycles, the combination with a wheelhub and cone bearing onvwhich said hub is :journaled, of an -expans'iblel braking sleeve in' the hub, expanding vmembers associated with f the ex anslble braking sleeve, a sprocklclet t e sprocket may drive thehub forwar ly, a device slidable on the axle-adapted to actuate one of the expanding members, a inem-y ber screw adjustable on one of the cone bearings operable to actuate said slidable device, and a disk mounted on said screw adjusted member actuated by and on the backv ward rotation of the sprocket to operate said screwmemberfor shifting the shdable an axle, and cone bearings on y,which said hub is journaled, of an expansible braking sleeve in the hub, 'stationary'.and' rotatable cone elements or'jexpandin [the braking sleeve, a sprocket journale on` the hub,

means -whereby 1the^ sprocket will drive the hub forwardly, a devlce slidablefonr the axle' adapted to shift the rotatablecone, ya member screw adjustableon one of the jcone bearings operable to actuate said sli'dable device,

andfadsk splined on said screvv'l adjusted member actuated by and `on thefbackward rotation of theY sprocket; to. `or4 -ratensaid member for shifting A`the .slidab e device' to efect'the braking actionon the hub, substantially as set `forth.

In testimony whereof vI liave-fjsigned my name to th1s specification in vthe-presence of Atwo subscribing witnesses.

HERMANN SCHMIDT.

Witnesses OSKAR SCHLER, KARLl MUNDT. 

